3 Signs That You're a Good Basketball Coach Despite Your Win-Loss Record

If you're like most basketball coaches, you always strive to be the best coach you can be. But it can be difficult to evaluate yourself especially depending on the ability of your team. Ultimately being a great coach comes down to being a great leader with outstanding leadership qualities.

Here are 3 signs that your efforts as a basketball coach are resonating with your team and you're doing a good job - even if your record isn't great.

1. Respect & Discipline

Being respected and having discipline with your team is an absolute must and should be priority #1 as a coach. Your players need to know that you are 100% genuine in your delivery of basketball teaching points as well as life values. This, however, is entirely different than being best friends with your squad. Being friendly with your team is great, but they ultimately need to see you as an authority figure and a mentor and not necessarily someone they consider their best friend.  And while your title may be basketball coach, your players look at you as much more than that. Be more than just a coach and show them that the basketball lessons you teach them also apply to real-life situations as well. This will cause your players to respect you more and uphold a disciplined atmosphere throughout your program.  

Great Basketball Coaches: Make sure discipline and respect are most important to the team and teach more than basketball

2. Team Unity

If a team has great camaraderie off the court, it typically shows on the court as well. This type of camaraderie also often comes from the leader. And unity comes from fairness, open communication, and a clear definition of each players' expectations. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, you're more than just a basketball coach. It's also your job to build confidence in your players, create cohesiveness within the group, and manage different personalities and mindsets. Regardless if your team has tremendous talent or not, you can always control how you treat your players. And if you treat your team fairly it will naturally carry over to the overall unity of the team and then will translate into wins down the road.

Great Basketball Coaches: Galvanize their team to work together on and off the court by treating every player with fairness

3. Player Focused

Great coaches have the mindset of helping their players be successful. They are constantly teaching and thinking of ways to get the best out of their players. Yes, great coaches are always trying to better themselves and learn more to advance their knowledge of the game. But at the end of the day, the best coaches are focused on their players first and on their team as a whole. They are constantly looking for innovation within the game - whether it be basketball training equipment or new age analytics - to implement and advance their players' development. Again, "player focused" is not the same thing as trying to make sure your players "like you" but that they respect you as a mentor who genuienly cares about their well-being on and off the court.

Great Basketball Coaches: Focus on their players first and constantly look for innovative ways to give them the resources necessary to succeed

Success isn't necessarily defined by the "W" column, but by having the ability to get the most out of your players. While this can be difficult to measure, checking the box on the three leadership qualities above is a positive reflection of your overall abilities as a basketball coach. Keep striving to the be the best coach you can and your players will certainly take notice.

What 100 Parents Said About Their Basketball Training Preferences & Costs

You're sitting in the stands of your child's basketball game, watching them play scrappy defense and take good, open shots. You see the potential in their game, and know that basketball is one of their passions. On the way out you grab the business card of a local trainer that's offering 1 on 1 or group training sessions. Your child is only in 6th grade, and you start to question, are they too young to start professional basketball training? 

So what is the right answer? We recently interviewed 100+ parents from our database and asked them all about their training preferences and here's what we found: 

Most parents started to take training more seriously at around 10-12 years old,  which was also when intervention by professionals felt necessary. 

Of those who did spend time or money in training, here is what they said they did:

88.5% of this group said that their kid(s) attended camps or clinics. These can be valuable, but at a young age, they can also be a "daycare session". Camps are still well worth going to, they bring fun and friendship to your child, but we wouldn't suggest camps replace training sessions.

A whopping 64.4% say they hire personal trainers. Based on the level of the player, where you reside and the trainer here are what you can expect to pay per session:

1 on 1 training on average is $90-$150 / session. 
Small group (2-4 kids) on average costs= $90-$120 / session
Large Group Training (4+ kids) on average costs $50-60 / session 

Annually, this group claims to spend: 

29% believe to spend more than $2000 annually on basketball training! Does this surprise you?

A basketball shooting machine makes training as efficient as hiring a personal trainer, and when you break down the potential costs of hiring a trainer over a year, the machine training would already be paid off:

Based on these results, and the knowledge that we bring as former players and parents ourselves, we agree with the data. A good time to start taking basketball training more seriously is around 10-12 years old, or 5th grade. This mean FUN training! Training that is lighthearted, yet starts to teach the player about dedication and discipline. 

When the training starts to get more serious, it's worth sitting down and doing the math: How often will the player go?
What are you being charged per session?
Would you be better using Dr. Dish Shooting machine that provides training in addition to efficient reps? 

Think about it! 

8 Types of Basketball Shots and Fundamentals Not Worked on Enough

"How do I become a better shooter?

"Just get up reps."

This is a common "answer" we hear to the above question on the internet/social media/at practices/etc. We're even guilty of simplifying it to that level at times.

And while we ultimately produce and sell basketball shooting machines, we also know that it's extremely important to work on PURPOSEFUL training to reach maximum potential.

We still hear players say it all the time:

"I can make shots when I shoot around, but I can't make shots in a game."

It's likely because they're neglecting one or more of these shots/fundamentals below.

1. Form Shooting

This is potentially the most overlooked fundamental in basketball. When first stepping on the court, one of the most harmful things a player can do is immediately start shooting/jacking three pointers.

Focused form shooting is incredibly important to develop a rhythm and foundation. Make sure to start right under the hoop and then work your way back.

2. Free Throws

It still boggles my mind that free throws (a wide open 15 foot shot), are still missed at a high rate at ALL levels.

Free throws are often worked on BUT not necessarily under game fatigued situations. It's surprisingly common to have a player shoot ~90% in practice but just ~60% in games. This is often due to (1) fatigue, (2) focus, (3) reps, and (4) confidence.  

Yes, shooting more free throws will help but players need to make sure they are simulating game-like conditions as much as possible - especially when shooting free throws.

3. Moving off the Ball

I'm going to start sounding like a broken record as I use the term "game-like" over and over again. 

One of our biggest pet peeves is seeing a player shoot 500+ reps from a standstill position and calling that a "workout." Come game time, they're required to make cuts to get open and can't hit any shots.

Players need to think about how they get their shots in a game and then replicate those actions off the ball in order to become successful in games.

4. Shot Fakes

One of the best ways to create space for an open shot is to utilize shot fakes. Yet, it's not something players work on very often. This is likely due to the fact that practicing shot fakes against "air" with no defender might be a little awkward.

However, it's essential to work on proper shot fake form in order to maximize those opportunities in a game.

5. Different Types of Footwork

Ultimately it's easier to work on drills that are more comfortable to players. If a player is used to catching a pass from under the hoop with a 1-2 step while training, they likely will repeat that action over and over again and call it a workout. 

In game situations, it's difficult to get up a lot of quality shots in a comfortable state. Much like moving off the ball, it's important to practice shots off of a 1-2 step with both feet (right-left AND left-right) as well as a hop. Also, working on jab steps, reverse pivots, and any other type of game-like footwork.

6. Shooting off Tough Catches

When rebounding for a shooter in practice, I always remembered my coaches saying how important it is to give a great pass right to the shooter's shot pocket. While I agree that it's extremely important to practice proper fundamentals, I also believe players need to work on shooting off of tough catches.

However, big asterisk here, it still needs to be a quality shot in a game! I don't want want to encourage players to shoot bad shots in a game off of tough catches. But, ask yourself, how many passes are "perfect" in a game situation? Not many. Players need to be able to catch the ball around their knees or above their head and still be able to set their feet and get a shot off IF they are still open. 

7. Fatigued Shots

These last two types of shots might be the most important. Too many times growing up, I would shoot for 30-60 minutes and get up a TON of shots...but I wouldn't be fatigued at all. I took my time rebounding, I took frequent breaks, and I didn't shoot while tired. I know that I wasn't and still am not alone.

Then come game time, I would be huffing and puffing and the shots I would take would often be short. Of course players  have to mimic game actions but they also have to mimic game fatigue. After running in transition a few times, your body is going to feel a little different than standing still and comfortably shooting perimeter shots.

8. Game Speed Shots

Last but certainly not least, players NEED to go game speed in each workout. This doesn't mean that EVERY shot needs to be game speed. I still recommend starting with form shooting and working up to game speed, but it's essential if you want what you work on to translate to the game.

For example, when working on down screen shooting, players need to cut HARD while training just as they would in a game. Game speed also doesn't mean constantly going 100mph. Focus on changing speeds and pace to be hard to guard. Going at the same speed all the time makes it easier for the defense to lock in.

The Top 20 Mistakes Made When Basketball Training

When basketball training, you likely know the cliche sayings: Work hard. Push yourself. Love the grind. Etc. Etc. 

Many of these sayings are valid and useful, but too many players don't exactly know how to apply these statements effectively when they train.

While there are many hard workers out there, there are still many pet peeves of mine when it comes to basketball training. Admittedly, I committed many of these myself when I was a player. Now I cringe every time I see these mistakes from players today. 

These mistakes are also committed many times during the season and in practice! Often times, basketball coaches are just as culpable as their players.

Avoid these mistakes and ALWAYS train with a purpose behind everything you do. That is what we we're all about at Shotzone - whether you're training with our machines or not!

1. Not having a goal 

The best players know exactly what their goal is when they get to the gym. Whether it's getting up 500 shots, 200 makes, or 15 minutes of purposeful ball-handling, great players have a goal before they go to work.

2. Not having a plan 

Much like having a goal, always have a plan when you get into the gym. What are you specifically going to work on to get better today? Be able to answer that question before starting your workout. Always train with purpose. 

3. No accountability

Whether it's having a coach, parent, teammate, or even yourself keep you accountable, it's essential to push yourself to hit your goals and stick by your word. If you committed to making 500 shots a day and you only made 200 yesterday, you better make 800 today. That's the mindset that separates good from great.

4. Not being coachable

Never think you know everything. Listen to your coach and implement the suggestions he/she gives. I can't stand players that don't want to be coached or think they are smarter than their coach.

5. Not catching ready to shoot

Always catch shot-ready. It always makes me cringe to see players catch the ball standing straight up and down AND THEN start their shooting motion. You won't have time to that in a game so don't practice it that way! 

6. Not diversifying your workout

Catch and shoot shots are great for warming up and getting into a good rhythm. And yes, it's great if you can get up 500 shots in a workout. But, if they are all catch and shoot shots, you're grooming yourself to be a one-dimensional player. Work on pull ups, finishing, and off-the-move shots as well. Game shots, game spots, game speed.

7. Not training at game speed

Again, taking rhythm shots is great for locking in your form, but I can't stand watching players take a couple hundred shots and then calling it a workout. Train like you're in the game under game-like conditions!

With the integrated Polar Heart-Rate monitor paired with a Dr. Dish shooting gun, you can now track player intensity!

8. Not training in an athletic stance

Much like training at game speed, everything you do should be in an athletic stance. It's hard to watch players "attack" the basket while barely getting low or doing ball-handling drills standing straight up. Get used to playing low and in a stance.

9. Being afraid to make mistakes

I always encourage players to push themselves to the point where they are making mistakes. If you're scared of making mistakes, you won't get better. If you're making mistakes you're pushing your limits. That's a good thing!

10. Taking no warm up shots

One of my biggest pet peeves is watching players step on the court, grab a ball, and immediately start jacking up long 3 pointers. Work your way out there. Even the best players in the world start right under the basket and gradually work their way back.

11. Practicing things you'll never do in games

It's always frustrating watching players work on things that don't apply to their game. This could be a post player working on his 25 foot jumper when 80% of his shots in a game are from the paint or a point guard working on his hook shot down low.

12. Spending significant time working on dunking (or trying to dunk)

I'm all for working on finishing moves, but time spent trying to dunk could be used working on valuable skill development. Don't be the player who can throw down sick dunks but has no jumpshot, handles, or relevant basketball skill. 

13. Focusing on time in the gym instead of purpose and quality

One of my biggest pet peeves is listening to players talk about how they spent HOURS in the gym working out. This tells me they spent a majority of it NOT working out. Focus on training with purpose. Get in, put in the work, and get out.

14. Spending more time talking/Twitter-ing than training

One of the biggest reasons many players spend so much time on the court is because they're busy "Tweeting" or "Instagraming" their workout to prove they're working hard. I'm all for a quick post, but I can't stand players doing a quick drill and immediately going to their phone for 15 minutes before starting the next drill. Everyone will know what kind of a worker you are when you prove it on the court during game-time. 

15. Not tracking progress

How will you know if you're improving if you don't track your progress? Establish your goals with your workout and specific drills and then push yourself to reach them. You will see the progress you're making which will then motivate you even more.

16. No consistency

One great workout to begin the week is a good start. But in order to see serious improvement, you have to develop consistency. Make sure you're doing something every day to make yourself better than yesterday. 1% better every day.

17. Not pushing to fatigue factor

For example, shooting 100 free throws is great. But to best prepare for game-like conditions, you must train with a fatigue factor. While shooting free throws when you're not tired is important to find your rhythm, it's essential that you prepare for game-like conditions as well. Since you shoot free throws when you're tired in games, that's how you should practice them.

18. Casual shooting

This is probably my #1 pet peeve when it comes to basketball training. Players that spend a half hour shooting around casually with no purpose and no routine don't get better. In many cases they actually develop bad habits and can actually become worse. You can always focus on these 3 C's when shooting to avoid casual shooting.

19. Only working hard when others are watching

The best players don't need a coach or parent watching for them to work hard. I never understood why players would turn on an extra gear only whenever a coach was watching. Even if you have to pretend Coach K is in the gym with you every time, give 100% regardless if anyone is there or not.

20. Quitting when things get tough

I've been there. Some days just don't go your way. You're tired, your jumpshot isn't falling, your handles aren't nearly as tight as they usually are. If your solution is just to pack it up for the day, how do you expect to improve? When things get tough, true competitors push themselves even more and NEVER quit. 

Make sure you're aware of these 20 basketball training mistakes. Each one of these is committed every day and many times players have no idea they are doing anything wrong. Don't take the easy way out. Train with purpose and focus on efficiency!

Basketball Shooting: 3 Simple C’s to Focus On

As a player, it can be overwhelming to incorporate all of the different basketball shooting tips that are heard from coaches, trainers, parents, and other influencers.

“Keep your elbow in! Don’t use your off-hand! Square up to the hoop! Don’t use your palm!” Etc...etc...

Many of these suggestions are valid and potentially can help you become a better shooter. But it’s difficult to perfect your shot until YOU become comfortable with it.

Below are three simple “C’s” that players can always focus on no matter what their mechanics are.

Concentration

This may seem obvious, but there are many players that nonchalantly shoot around before, during, and after practice. As legendary Coach Bobby Knight says, “I hate casual shooting. Working to get open and catch and shoot must precede every shot under game like conditions.”

Careless and casual shooting can actually create bad habits and make you a worse shooter. Even when you’re practicing, try to envision yourself shooting in a game. Being ready to shoot and having your eyes on the rim are simple things you can always focus on no matter what shot you’re taking.

Consistency

One of the greatest shooters of all time, Ray Allen, claims, “It comes down to consistency—if you want to be a great shooter, you have to shoot the same way every time.” SportVu, a camera system installed in every NBA arena, analyzes shot arc and found that, make or miss, Ray Allen virtually had the exact same arc on his shot throughout his career.

If you look at all the greatest shooters (Ray Allen, Larry Bird, Steph Curry, Reggie Miller, etc.), you’ll notice that none of them shoot the exact same way. So while there’s no perfect way for every person to shoot, there is a perfect way for each individual person to shoot. Each great shooter has been able to find their perfect shot by consistently shooting the same way every time until it becomes second-nature to them.

Confidence

Once you’re able to concentrate and focus on consistently shooting the same way every time, you will inherently develop confidence. As Stephen Curry says, “Every time I rise up, I have confidence I’m going to make it.” This type of confidence is not only built through hours of repetition, but also through training your mind to believe you can make every shot you take.

When you’re shooting, stop hoping that you make your shots and start expecting that every shot taken will go in. We know that no one is perfect, but having complete self-belief in yourself can do wonders for your shooting percentage.

With so many great shooters all shooting in their own unique way, focus on creating the best shot for you!

No matter what level you’re at, you can always:

1.       Concentrate every time you shoot.

2.       Focus on consistency and shoot the same way every time.

3.       Shoot with maximum confidence.

Goodbye to the old Shotzone venue - looking forward to the new VENUE in 2020